In the San Jose/Evergreen Community College District, course and basic skills prerequisites have been established for all courses. Students with no record of completing these prerequisites cannot enroll unless they have been assessed by a counselor, have had their prerequisites verified in alternate ways, and have been granted override status for enrollment. In spring 1989, 11,307 overrides were granted based on completion of equivalent coursework, instructor evaluations, life experience, previous degrees, and other reasons. A study was conducted to compare the academic success of students who had completed all course and basic skills prerequisites with that of students who had enrolled on override status, and to determine whether experience and feedback had improved the counselors' ability to appropriately place students. Study findings included the following: (1) 69% of the students who had completed all course and basic skills requirements (N=35,676) received a grade of A, B, C, or Credit, compared to 64% of those who enrolled on override status; (2) 64% of the counselors successfully placed their students, compared with 59% of the counselors in spring 1989; (3) the greatest proportion of A and B grades was achieved by students with existing transcripts (58%), students with previous degrees (44%), and life exierience (41%); and (4) students who insisted on taking a course above their prerequisite level had one of the lowest success rates (49%) and the highest course withdrawal rate (33%). Study findings supported the conclusion that counselors who strictly enforce prerequisites, use a careful evaluation of relevant life experience, and rely on documented evidence of previous coursework can place students effectively. (VVC)